Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common congenital facial anomalies, occurring in roughly one in 700 births worldwide according to the CDC. These conditions develop when parts of the lip and roof of the mouth do not fuse properly during early fetal development, resulting in a separation that can affect feeding, speech development, hearing, dental alignment, and facial aesthetics. While the diagnosis can feel overwhelming for families, modern surgical techniques — performed in carefully staged procedures aligned with the child’s growth — produce excellent functional and aesthetic outcomes that allow children to eat, speak, and develop normally.
Dr. David Salehani is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with the rare distinction of holding both a DDS and an MD — dental and medical degrees that allow him to manage the complete range of cleft-related concerns from initial repair through later orthognathic, dental, and reconstructive phases. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery with honors from State University of New York at Stony Brook, his Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook School of Medicine, and completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Dr. Salehani serves as faculty at UCLA Medical Center, has held a seat on the peer review board of the Los Angeles Dental Society for over seven years, and is past president of the Beverly Hills Academy of Dentistry — credentials that families across Southern California rely on for the long-term, multi-stage care that cleft treatment requires.
Stages of Cleft Lip and Palate Repair
Cleft surgery is staged across the child’s early years to align with growth and developmental milestones, with each procedure addressing a specific aspect of function and appearance:
- Cleft Lip Repair: Typically performed between three and six months of age, this first surgery restores the natural shape and symmetry of the upper lip, reconstructing the underlying lip muscles for both function and appearance.
- Cleft Palate Repair: Usually performed between nine and 18 months of age, this procedure closes the opening in the roof of the mouth, which is essential for normal speech development and prevents food and liquid from entering the nasal cavity during feeding.
- Alveolar Bone Grafting: Performed in school-age children, typically between seven and 11, to bridge the gap in the upper jawbone and create the foundation for normal eruption and alignment of the permanent teeth.
- Orthognathic Surgery: Some teenagers benefit from corrective jaw surgery once skeletal growth is complete, addressing residual bite or facial-balance concerns from the cleft.
- Revision and Aesthetic Refinement: Additional procedures may refine lip symmetry, scar appearance, or nasal contour as the child matures, ensuring the best possible long-term result.
What Cleft Lip and Palate Repair Addresses
Beyond the visible repair of the lip and palate, comprehensive cleft care addresses the full range of functional concerns that accompany the diagnosis: feeding difficulties in infancy, speech development as the child grows, dental eruption and alignment, jaw growth and facial balance, hearing concerns related to middle-ear function, and the aesthetic refinement that supports a child’s confidence as they enter adolescence and adulthood. Dr. Salehani coordinates closely with pediatricians, speech-language pathologists, orthodontists, and other specialists to ensure each phase of treatment supports the child’s overall development.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleft Lip and Palate Repair
At what age is cleft lip repair performed?
The first surgery, cleft lip repair, is typically performed between three and six months of age, when the infant is large enough for safe anesthesia and the tissues are ideal for surgical reconstruction.
At what age is cleft palate repair performed?
Palate repair is typically performed between nine and 18 months of age, timed to support normal speech development as the child begins to form words.
Will my child need additional surgeries as they grow?
Most children with cleft lip and palate benefit from a series of staged procedures across childhood and adolescence — including alveolar bone grafting, possible corrective jaw surgery in the teen years, and refinement procedures — each timed to align with the child’s growth and developmental needs.
Will the scar be visible?
Modern surgical techniques produce a thin scar that follows the natural contours of the lip and fades significantly over time, with revision procedures available later in childhood or adolescence if further refinement is desired.
Will my child’s speech develop normally after cleft palate repair?
Most children develop normal or near-normal speech after timely palate repair, often with the support of speech-language therapy — Dr. Salehani works closely with speech-language pathologists to monitor progress and recommend additional intervention if needed.
Will insurance cover cleft lip and palate surgery?
Cleft lip and palate repair is considered medically necessary and is covered by most medical insurance plans — the practice’s billing team works with families to verify benefits and coordinate authorization before each stage of treatment.
Schedule a Cleft Consultation in West Hollywood
If your child has been diagnosed with a cleft lip or cleft palate, you do not have to navigate the journey alone. Contact Sunset Oral and Facial Surgery at (310) 275-3635 to schedule a consultation with Dr. David Salehani at our West Hollywood office, where families across Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and Southern California receive coordinated, multi-stage cleft care from a single trusted surgeon.
